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Sheet Metal Worker in Michigan: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Michigan employs 4,000 sheet metal workers, with a statewide median of $64,490 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Michigan licensing picture, and where to train.

What Sheet metal workers Earn in Michigan (May 2025)

Michigan median pay: $64,490 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $40,940
Experienced (75th percentile): $86,690
Top earners (90th percentile): $96,390
Employed in Michigan: 4,000
U.S. median (for comparison): $60,750 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for sheet metal workers in major Michigan markets:

Flint: $81,790 (240 employed)
Kalamazoo: $80,870 (160 employed)
Ann Arbor: $75,460 (90 employed)
Detroit: $75,120 (1,640 employed)
Lansing: $71,420 (120 employed)
Grand Rapids: $53,290 (630 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Michigan

Prices in Michigan run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 96.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $64,490 median stretches to roughly $67,037 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Michigan (2024–2034)

Michigan is projected to shrink sheet metal workers employment -1.0%, slower than the +2.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 370 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Michigan License and Certification Requirements

SMART Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker (apprenticeship credential — no state license) — regulated by the No Michigan state individual sheet metal worker license — SMART apprenticeship is the credential.

Michigan does not require a state license for individual sheet metal workers. The entry path is a SMART (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers) Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) apprenticeship: 4–5 years, 8,000+ OJT hours, covering HVAC ductwork fabrication/installation, architectural sheet metal, roofing, and industrial ventilation.
Apprentices receive training in blueprint reading, layout and fabrication, soldering, welding, and HVAC system installation. EPA 608 refrigerant handling certification is required for those working on HVAC refrigeration circuits.
Apply to the local SMART JATC. Major employers include HVAC mechanical contractors, commercial construction firms, and industrial ventilation companies. Sheet metal workers often overlap with HVAC mechanics on large commercial and industrial projects.

Official requirements: No Michigan state individual sheet metal worker license — SMART apprenticeship is the credential →

Training in Michigan

Contact SMART Local 80 (Detroit), Local 7 (Grand Rapids) for application timing. Sheet metal apprentices earn wages from day one. HVAC ductwork for large commercial buildings — hospitals, data centers, office towers — is the primary work in Michigan's major metro areas.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Michigan include:

Alpena Community College — Certificate / Associate
Baker College — Certificate / Associate
Bay de Noc Community College — Certificate
Delta College — Certificate / Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like precision fabrication work and are comfortable with rooftops, ladders, and construction sites.

Think twice if: Sharp metal edges, heights, loud fabrication shops, and seasonal outdoor work sound unappealing.

Why it's resilient: Sheet metal workers fabricate and install ductwork, roofing, and building components — skilled licensed work requiring physical presence on every job.

First Steps

Look for SMART (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers) apprenticeship openings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do sheet metal workers make in Michigan?

The median wage for sheet metal workers in Michigan is $64,490 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $40,940, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $96,390. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Sheet Metal Worker in Michigan?

SMART Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker (apprenticeship credential — no state license), overseen by the No Michigan state individual sheet metal worker license — SMART apprenticeship is the credential. Michigan does not require a state license for individual sheet metal workers. The entry path is a SMART (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers) Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) apprenticeship: 4–5 years, 8,000+ OJT hours, covering HVAC ductwork fabrication/installation, architectural sheet metal, roofing, and industrial ventilation.

Is being a Sheet Metal Worker a good career in Michigan?

Sheet metal workers fabricate and install ductwork, roofing, and building components — skilled licensed work requiring physical presence on every job.

Which Michigan metros pay sheet metal workers the most?

Among Michigan metro areas, Flint leads at $81,790, followed by Kalamazoo ($80,870), Ann Arbor ($75,460). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Sheet Metal Worker in Michigan?

Real Michigan options include Alpena Community College, Baker College, Bay de Noc Community College. Most sheet metal workers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Sheet Metal Worker a growing career in Michigan?

Michigan projects sheet metal workers employment to change -1.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 370 openings a year — a declining field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Michigan statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2211. Licensing summary compiled from the No Michigan state individual sheet metal worker license — SMART apprenticeship is the credential (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Michigan wages · Michigan licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.